Baseball Travel: Newman Outdoor Stadium, Fargo

Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks / Newman Outdoor Field

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Rating

Specifics

Address/Directions: 1515 15th Av. N., Fargo. Newman is on the northwest side of the North Dakota State University campus near the Fargodome (indeed, the NDSU baseball team is the other prime tenant), and in general if you follow signs to the Fargodome you'll make it to Newman. It's also easy to find on its own. If you're coming from Interstate 94, go north on Interstate 29 to 19th Ave. (exit 67), then go east on 19th Avenue. Hang a left (north) on Albrecht Blvd. and then watch for Newman on the right.
Phone: 701-235-6161, 800-303-6161.
Web: www.fmredhawks.com.
Online ticket sales? No.
Online broadcasts? No.
Capacity: 4,623.
Year Built: 1996.
Last Visited: September 1998, Northern League championship series.
Next Scheduled Visit: August 27-28, 1999, RedHawks vs. Schaumburg Flyers.
League/class: Northern League, Central Division.
Affiliation: Unaffiliated.

Description

If you're read some of the ballpark descriptions, you know that I sometimes relate a highly personal perspective. Confession: I proposed to my soon-to-be wife at Newman Outdoor Field on September 12, 1998, a date that will forever be commemorated with the three tickets shown here. I suppose most women wouldn't consider Newman to be the most romantic setting in the world, but what the hell -- it ended up being a perfect moment. My son Sean (who was clued to the impending engagement beforehand) giggled as he handed the engagement ring to Courtney, and then he told me to kiss her. I did. After we finished off a spiff of champagne smuggled into the stadium, we settled down to watch the rest of the game, won by the RedHawks.

So it's probably no surprise that Newman Outdoor Field is one of my favorite stadiums on the planet (although many would be surprised to find out that the Wade in Duluth is actually my favorite). Newman is by far the nicest ballpark in the Northern League, a brick shrine to baseball. The concession stands are all on a concourse level in the back of the grandstand, so you can head up for some food and still have a great view of the game. All the seats in the grandstand have arms and beverage holders, with 12 luxury boxes looming overhead. Between innings, Ole the trained Norwegian fetches baseballs for the umpires and comments on the action from his on-field rocking chair. Aside from St. Paul's Midway Stadium, Newman is the Northern League field most likely to be sold out, so if you're heading up for the weekend call ahead for tickets.

Concession Highlights

Just about anything at a concession stand: gyros, fresh-baked cookies, fresh lemonade, espresso, pizza, massive chili dogs and $1 hot dogs, in addition to the standard ballpark fare. Drop by the Jim Lauerman's stand for a spicy pickled egg early in the game - a typical crowd will go through a jar of 50 eggs throughout the course of an evening, and often the pickled-egg jar is empty by the eighth inning. Really.

Smoking

There's an official smoking area in the concourse area down the third-base line. Cigars are accepted.

Parking

There's plenty of parking in the large lot south of the ballpark, and there's a smaller lot east of the stadium. During playoff games there was a $1 charge to park in these lots.

Before the Game/For the Kids

Spend an hour before the game soaking up the atmosphere at Newman; the kids can head down the right-field line and burn off energy in the large playground area while Mom and Dad down a few cold ones.

After the Game

Downtown Fargo's Broadway Avenue is a hopping place on a weekend night. You could begin the evening with blackjack at Rooter's, followed by some more of those pickled eggs across the street at Jim Lauerman's.

Where to Stay

There's nothing within walking distance of the stadium, but Fargo's west side features many affordable hotels; most notable is the Ramada Plaza (1635 42nd St. S., 701-277-9000), which is across the street from the West Acres Mall. Within walking distance of downtown Fargo's nightlife is the Radisson Hotel Fargo (201 5th St. N., 701-232-7363; $80 per night).

Notes

The RedHawks are the defending 1998 Northern League champions.

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